LilMissDiva Irene

Women should never compare themselves to men at weight loss. Especially not ones that have a lot of weight to lose. Keep doing what you're doing because apparently you're doing it right, you're weight loss is very efficient. All the best to you in your journey.

@@fleabag1975 It sounds like you are doing great. Keep up the good work and I pray you continue to heal well and continue on your weight loss just as good. Thanks so much! It's just nice to know I'm not alone. I know there aren't too many of us out there but we are here. Take care.

@@fleabag1975 Hi fleabag nice to meet you! I also started with a lap band too and I wonder if it might be partially responsible for how my stomach deformed over the years. I was incredibly successful with my sleeve and even went below goal. For the last few years tho I've struggled so much and with hunger, and feeling sick all the time. I have extremely bad GERD too. Did you have those symptoms? May I ask exactly what type of bypass you have? I've never heard of it. Thanks!

I'm looking for anyone who is pre or post op revision from VSG to Gastric Bypass. I am pre-op and going through the pre-op studies at this time. I have not gotten 100% approval for the revision from my insurance even though they are the ones telling me all the steps and where to go. I'm hopeful that is a good sign, though one never knows. I'd love to hear from anyone! I don't think there are too many of us.

You look great!! Rock those dresses because you look cute in them. Awesome losses too, you're really doing awesome!

@@covatila84 own your decision. If someone says that, respond that yes you did. It's okay to have WLS and you felt it enough to have it. The words out now so all you can do it own it.

@@ElyQuint Your weight loss is going to be the subject of others around you whether you like it or not. You're not invisible and you're pretty too, so you are going to get attention. In fact the smaller you get the more you will get remarks, some very nice and some catty. Try not to allow others unhappiness become your own. I liked your response, which was no response. I think when you respond unkind you are soaking up negativity and trying to release it upon others. Negativity is like a cancer it will grow and kill happiness. You're doing fine and this is a really good subject.

@@Kittenheart I'm 3.5 years out and I have chewed gum since about a month out of surgery and never once experienced any problems. I love it, it's great for head hunger and helps keep your breath fresh. Especially when you're going through ketosis.

@@Erin414 welcome to bariatic pal What is my pre op diet like? Dr Neil Floch is my surgeon. I'm not sure what your exact surgeon does for a pre-operative diet but it seems most do the very low carb diet to shrink the liver. It will decrease your risk of having your liver nicked or cut during the procedure and knowing how dangerous that is hopefully it will help you stay on target. Usually 30 total grams or less of carbs is a very low carb diet. If you eat carbs make them count. Eat carbs high in Fiber and are nutrient dense. How long are you usually in the Hospital? I was in the hospital for 4 days and 3 nights and seems to be around average hospital stay time. What should I pack? Here is a link to answer this question: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what- you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/ Does it hurt? Well it hurt me, I'm sure you will get a whole many different responses. I have a high tolerance for pain and my post op was very uncomfortable. I got sick a few times but hey, surgery isn't pleasant. I'm sure you will be fine. Anything specific you guys have found that you needed when you got home from the hospital? Yes lots of sleep. Heal well and try not to do too much immediately post op. I also found out I needed a LOT of patience. The weight is going to come off but on its own terms, not yours. Celebrate every pound as a victory and if you stall you will definitely need patience then. One last thing you will need is willpower to stay on course. You have a window of opportunity, use it while you have it. Lose as much weight as you can in this time. It's usually about 12-18 months worth of time. The first 6 months are the very best. What were the best ways to stay positive through the pain? I always thought into the future and knew that the pain of today will be the pleasure for tomorrow. Yeah, I was right. Nothing worth doing is ever easy! When did you begin to feel normal again? It took me about to the 4th month before I started to feel normal. Low intake of food and struggling to get Water in left me feeling tired and admittedly a bit cranky, but I got over it eventually. Are there certain foods i will never eat again? No really there aren't any foods you won't be able to eat again, but there will always be foods you SHOULDN'T eat. Find out what those foods are. They are called "trigger" foods and when you hear your brain tell you that it's okay to eat it, celebrate, make yourself happy, etc do not listen. It will get you to feel okay with eating other things that will hinder your weight loss. Wishing you the best Irene

lilmissdiva_irene

Another aspect to consider is our fat cells hold hormones along with un needed energy. Once we use up each fat cell it re-releases the hormones into our blood stream. This can cause strange or heavy periods for awhile. If it becomes too much for you see your regular doctor about giving you something that can help regulate your system. Good luck!

That's a very interesting article. I used to be well over 300 Lbs a long time ago, at least 7 years now. I can confidently say I don't miss anything about it whatsoever.

Hello ladies, let me introduce myself. My name is Irene and I am currently in the process of revising my VSG into a Rny GB. I am going through numerous tests and just yesterday I had an upper endoscopy to look inside my stomach. Somehow the shape did not come out like a banana after healing and I am suffering from extreme GERD. We also seen the shape of an hourglass via a barium test (Upper GI) My surgeon feels that my best shot at success post op would be to have the Gastric Bypass. That said I have been extremely successful with my sleeve, but with my recent complications have begun to gain me weight back and struggling a lot with hunger. I'm looking forward to hearing all of your advice! Thanks for welcoming me. You all are some beautiful ladies.

When you hit a stall? When you have "only" lost 1 Lb in a weeks time? When you're feeling drained? When you're tired of liquids only for weeks on end? and especially when... You lose your first 50 Lbs? When you get your first "Are you losing weight? Wow you look great!" compliment? When you fit in your goal pants? When you hit your goal weight?

I am a daily planner, but I do think weekly planning is better. I do a little bit of that already by weekly grocery shopping and making sure there is always fresh Protein, veggies and fruits in the house and not buying hi fat or hi sugar foods.

Nice article! I definitely went through this stage many moons ago. I had to learn the difference and I think it's just one of those growing pains majority of post ops will go through. For me, I learned that confidence is just another way of knowing you CAN better yourself. Arrogance is another way of thinking you're better than others.

Thanks especially for the desciption and warning of getting in the shower in the event of a dumping episode. I had some a few times being sleeved so it makes sense that I will with the bypass too. The only thing that works for me, like you said is for me to lie down until it passes.

Hello Rny family I am pre-op and I'm just curious if there are any issues that you have come across that you'd have know pre-surgery? Thanks so much.

I had a DNA test done and recently found out I am 2% African. Can I join in the conversation?

Hello @@William 2010 - I would advise you to please discuss the GERD issue in depth with your bariatric surgeon before making a final decision on which surgery to have. I was revised from Lap Band to VSG in Sept. 2010, which at that time it wasn't as recognized as it is today that prior GERD issues and the Sleeve are usually not a good mix. I had incredible success with my Sleeve where I didn't so much with my Lap Band, but now I'm dealing with some really awful GERD, worse than ever and yes I did have it prior to my revision. However I did not have acid reflux problems before I was Lap Banded in Feb. of 2008. I am now faced with the situation that I must have a revision again to go from VSG to the Rny GB to relieve me of the acid problems I'm having. I wish I had been told this prior to revision, but hindsight is 20/20. Only you know the full scope of what's going on in your life and health and only you and your surgeon should make the decision with certainty that everything will work out fine. I can tell you this though I love my Sleeve and it is a wonderful tool! I also hope I will love my new pouch just as much. All the best in your new journey!!

@@proudgrammy Can I just say you made me laugh!!! Too funny and yes sometimes it FELT like I was working out 17 hours per day and drink 4 gallons of Water.

Great post, thank you! I especially dislike the "well if you're not losing weight or are gaining, you're not doing it right" type responses. It's really not helpful and can seem like someone is getting bashed. I think every individual deserves the time and respect for us to go over what the issues are before just making that claim off the bat. It's really unfair and to second Gman's response that yes the enemy is fat, not each other. Personally I notice when I start to want to respond negatively and that's when I realize it's time for me to take a break. That's okay too. When I need to come back, this place is always here with open arms. On the flipside however, there are far more positive and helpful responses than there aren't. This is one of the best online support communities out there. Well okay, I think it IS the best WLS online support community out there.

Thanks so much Francie! I will defiintely follow the plan! That I do know, the harder you work in the honeymoon period and the weight melts like butter. 2 years for a honeymoon phase is awesome!

I wish I would have know that having GERD pre-operative Sleeve is usually a precursor to worse symptoms down the line a few years. Other than that everything else goes away in time. No complaints other than that.

Anyone can add me if they like. Stronger_Diva